Cha's father is Cha Jae-wan, who was an assistant director for special effects at KBS, and his mother Choi Su-min, now retired, was a voice-over artist.[1] His brother is film producer Cha Ji-hiyeon.

In June 1, 2006, Cha married his high school sweetheart, pop lyricist Choi Suk-eun.[2] They dated for 13 years; she was his first and only girlfriend.[3] They have three children, a son (Cha Soo-chan) and two daughters (Cha Tae-eun, Cha Su-jin).

Cha Tae-hyun started his career as a silver medalist in a 1995 KBS Talent Contest. Over the next several years he would star in a large number of TV dramas such as Sunflower and Happy Together, while also appearing in numerous TV commercials.[5] He was the radio DJ for KBS Cool FM's FM Popular Music with Cha Tae-hyun from 1999-2000, and made a minor film debut in the comedy Hallelujah.[6]

Then in 2001 he burst onto the film scene through the hugely successful romantic comedy My Sassy Girl where he acted alongside his opposite Jun Ji-hyun. Cha's expressive acting established him as a recognized star in Korea as well as the Asian region at large,[7] and he extended his fame by releasing his debut album Accident. His next film Lovers' Concerto (2002), a tragic melodrama with actresses Son Ye-jin and Lee Eun-ju, also proved to be a popular success.[6]

From 2003, however, Cha's casting choices proved to be less inspired. He appeared in three comedies -- Crazy First Love, Happy Ero Christmas and Two Guys—that were widely criticized by audiences for their weak scripts and lack of creativity.[6] He released his second album The Book later that year.

Cha regained his top star status when his comedy flick Scandal Makers became the number one film of 2008, attracting 8.2 million moviegoers and ranking among Korea's biggest hits of all time. The film centers on a radio talk show host who must face unforeseen consequences of his days of philandering as a teen idol star when he discovers that he already has a daughter (Park Bo-young) and a grandson (Wang Seok-hyun) at the age of 30.[11] As a result of the film's success, the advertising industry named Cha as the top male celebrity endorser of 2009.[12]

He reunited with BABO director Kim Young-tak in 2010's Hello Ghost, a film about a man who after several failed suicide attempts, becomes possessed by four different ghosts.[13] It was another box office success at 3 million tickets sold, and Cha's performance led him to be dubbed as "Korea's Jim Carrey."[14]

Based on a true story, his 2011 film Champ depicts the relationship between a recently injured racehorse named Woo-bak and the jockey who tries to tame her.[15] Cha spent time with the horse before and during filming, luring his four-legged partner with a combination of carrots and sugar cubes.[16]

In 2012, he became a season 2 regular cast member of the variety program 2 Days & 1 Night, with other fellow celebrities such as, Singer Kim Jong Min, singer Sung Si Kyung, actor Uhm Tae Woong, actor Kim Seung Woo, actor Joo Won and gagman and MC Lee Su Geun. When the show continues on with its third Season, only Cha Tae Hyun and Kim Jong Min continuing the show with some new members such as actor Kim Joo Hyuk, singer Jung Jun Young, singer Defconn, and gagman Kim Junho. The show, which focuses on introducing various places in Korea to the viewers while the cast takes on different missions, has consistently scored high viewership ratings.[17][18]

Cha played his first historical role in The Grand Heist, as the leader of a Joseon era group of thieves who band together to steal ice.[19][20] The action-comedy film was produced by his brother Cha Ji-hyun. He returned to that time period as the titular character in TV series Jeon Woo-chi, an impish Taoist wizard who becomes an unlikely hero.[21]

In 2014, he starred as an introverted man with dynamic visual acuity who works at a CCTV control center in the comedy film Slow Video, his third collaboration with director Kim Young-tak.[22][23] This was followed by The Producers in 2015, in which Cha played a hot-headed but soft-hearted television producer.[24][25] Cha was then cast in the ensemble romantic comedy Because I Love You, in the role of a gifted composer who connects people in love; the film was again produced by his brother Cha Ji-hyun.[26]